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Best Shih Poo Rescues in USA and Canada (2024)

Shih Poos are right up there in contention for the cutest dog out of all the breeds the Poodle family offers. Cute, cuddly, and good with kids, Shih Poos make for a great family dog. 

If you and your family decide to get a Shih Poo, you should consider adopting or rescuing. But, don’t worry if you don’t know where to begin! 

Shih Poo rescues
Best Shih Poo Rescues in USA and Canada

This article will list some great Shih Poo rescues located across America and Canada and help you find what you need to start your adoption process.

Why Rescue Shih Poos?

At first, you might cringe at the thought of adopting a rescue dog. Maybe you feel like you can’t trust shelter dogs. Perhaps you’re afraid they’ll be violent or erratic after the trauma they may have experienced. 

To tell you the truth, adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue may be better than adopting from a breeder. However, unless you can genuinely verify your breeder, you could end up getting a dog bred in horrible, inhumane conditions. 

They also may not be the pure breed you hoped for, as countless stories on the Internet detail instances of breeders lying about pedigree. 

On the other hand, shelters and rescues have the animal’s best interests at heart. Many shelter workers volunteer and work unpaid hours, simply doing their job out of the kindness of their hearts. 

black shih-poo puppy
A black Shih-poo puppy living its best life. Photo Joawanna Daley/Pixabay

Importance of Animal Shelters

Animal shelters and rescues go out of their way to ensure the dog’s safety and comfort while living in the shelter. Some of the perks of adopting from a shelter include regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and grooming care.  

Most shelters also ensure the dogs in their care are spayed or neutered. Some even provide house training and socialization for each dog as they prepare to move into their new home. 

taking care of dogs
A young woman taking care of dogs in an animal shelter.

Adopting a Shelter Dog

An adoption process seems daunting, but shelters want you to rescue their dogs! They don’t want to make it difficult for you to rescue a dog.

The adoption process varies from rescue to rescue but must abide by a few basic steps. 

  1. Fill out an adoption application (usually done online on a rescue’s website).
  2. Include a vet reference. 
  3. Get in touch with a volunteer (done around a week after your application has been approved).
  4. Choose your dog.
  5. Officially adopt your dog and love them forever! 

Poodle Rescue Connecticut 

Poodle Rescue Connecticut works alongside the Poodle Club of America and other verified dog rescue organizations. 

About

lying shih poo
Shih Poo lying on his bed.

Poodle Rescue Connecticut rehomes many different breeds of Poodles, including the Shih Poo, and operates within Connecticut and much of the New England coast. Its mission includes ensuring the health and well-being of Poodles and Poodle Mixes. 

Poodle Rescue not only gives the rescued dogs necessary medical attention and grooming, but they also provide training and socialization for each dog as they prepare to move into a new home. They commit to ensuring your adoption runs as smoothly as possible. 

Even if you’re unable to adopt, consider giving to Poodle Rescue, as they operate primarily on donation money. 

How To Adopt?

  • Complete an approved application.
  • Wait for Poodle Rescue to find the dog for you.
  • Follow up with rescue volunteer.
  • Adopt your new dog!

Contact Details 

In addition to the contact details below, the website also allows you to message the organization directly. 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 203-729-8846

Address: Poodle Rescue Connecticut, Inc., P.O. Box 188, Naugatuck, CT. 06770

Poodle Patch Rescue 

Poodle Patch Rescue operates in Texas and works as a non-profit. 

About

Located in Texarkana, Poodle Patch Rescue has been rescuing Poodles since 2005, taking in strays and abused dogs. 

merle shih-poo puppy
A super cute multi-color Shih-Poo. Touch of Merle! Photo congerdesign/Pixabay

Poodle Patch ensures all pets have been spayed or neutered and that vaccinations stay up to date. The small adoption fee helps cover all the medical and grooming expenses for the dogs. 

Poodle Patch wants you to take a healthy, happy dog home! If you live within 350 miles of the Texarkana area, consider adopting from Poodle Patch. 

How To Adopt? 

  • Complete an approved application.
  • Follow up with rescue volunteer (7-10 after the application is processed).
  • Adopt your new dog!

Contact Details 

Email: [email protected] 

Phone: (903) 244-9137

Address: N/A

Arizona Poodle Rescue 

Arizona Poodle Rescue has rehomed nearly 5,000 dogs and has operated since 2003.

About

shih poo puppy outside
A Shih Poo puppy outside on the grass

Located near the Phoenix area, Arizona Poodle Rescue operates out of private homes – there is no shelter. All dogs have been fostered inside homes as they await their new owners. Specializing in Poodles, this organization has experience dealing with Poodles and the challenges they face. 

Arizona Poodle Rescue keeps all dogs up-to-date on vaccinations and veterinary check-ups. Registered as a non-profit, Arizona Poodle Rescue relies on donations to achieve this level of care: through PayPal, check, or by shopping through this Amazon link

How To Adopt? 

  • Complete an approved adoption application (you can find applications for sponsoring or fostering on the website).
  • Follow up with rescue volunteer.
  • Adopt your new dog!

Contact Details 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: N/A

Address: Arizona Poodle Rescue, Maricopa, AZ 85138

NorCal Poodle Rescue 

NorCal Poodle Rescue operates out of Northern California and ranks as the third-largest Poodle rescue in the U.S.  

About

NorCal Poodle Rescue rescues and rehomes Poodles and Poodle Mixes. They ensure all of their dogs have been microchipped, and dental and veterinary care has been taken care of. 

cute Shih Poo puppy mini scaled
A closeup shot of a cute adorable domestic Shih-poo dog

NorCal Poodle Rescue also offers an owner surrender service. If you feel like you’re unable to take care of your Poodle, NorCal steps in to help rehome your dog, meaning that potential adoptees from NorCal may have been housetrained and accustomed to families.  

How To Adopt? 

  • Fill out an approved adoption application.
  • Adoption fee processed (profit goes to help more Poodles in need).
  • Adopt your new dog from NorCal Poodle Rescue!

Contact Details 

Email: N/A

Phone: (925)322-0223

Address: 10126 Alta Sierra Dr # 282, Grass Valley, CA 95949 

Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue

This organization operates around Southern Ontario, Canada.

chocolate shih-poo puppy
A closeup of a cute chocolate Shih-Poo dog

About

PSBR works with other rescue organizations to save dogs from puppy mills and abusive home situations. With over 1,000 dogs successfully rehomed, PSBR continues to do good work in Ontario by giving these dogs a chance at a fresh start. 

How To Adopt? 

  • Fill out an approved adoption application.
  • Home visit evaluation.
  • Meet the dog.
  • Adopt your new dog!

Contact Details 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: N/A

Address: N/A

Tiny Paws Dog Rescue 

Tiny Paws (established in 2007) works to rehome many mixed breeds and small dogs in Canada.

About

a cute shih poo puppy
A super cute Shih Poo puppy looks up at the camera

Tiny Paws provides veterinary and grooming care to all of their small charges. They also provide behavioral treatment for dogs who have been neglected. 

Tiny Paws offers the additional service of foster homes. If you’d like to help dogs near the end of their lives and in need of one last home, consider fostering with Tiny Paws. 

Tiny Paws also educates the public about spaying and neutering dogs. Spaying or neutering early can prevent illness for dogs later in life and takes away the breeding instinct. 

How To Adopt? 

  • Submit an approved application with a vet reference and two personal references.
  • Home evaluation. 
  • Board of Directors’ approval. 
  • Adopt your new dog from Tiny Paws!

Contact Details 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: N/A

Address: N/A

Conclusion 

If you’re looking to bring a Shih Poo into your home, consider adopting from a local Shih Poo rescue near you! Rescuing dogs provides a great way to bring love to a lonely Shih Poo while supporting a community effort to help abused or mistreated dogs.